Doug Robbins, a Microsoft MVP for M365 and retired Mechanical Engineer based in Australia, has dedicated over six decades to the tech industry, with the past 27 years spent as an MVP assisting the technical community with education and development of applications that automate or integrate the use of Access, Excel, Outlook and Word.
We celebrate the impact and achievements Doug has made to Microsoft users throughout the decades.
From Typewriters to Microsoft Word
Doug’s international career started with the clatter of a Royal mechanical typewriter, a time when technology was very different from today’s digital world. Reflecting on his early days, Doug recalls, “I have been a keyboard warrior for more than 60 years. I started with a Royal mechanical typewriter – the one with the name in gold leaf and side windows with bevelled edge glass – on which I bashed out my university assignments.”
His transition from mechanical typewriters to electric ones and eventually to personal computers marked the beginning of a lifelong passion with technology.
An early MVP
Doug's association with Microsoft began in the early days when he purchased an IBM PC and later discovered Microsoft Word. His contributions to the Microsoft newsgroups earned him the MVP title in the early days.
He recounts, “When I started answering questions in the Newsgroups, I knew nothing about the MVP Program until one day, out of the blue, I received an email from Peggy Vetkoetter mentioning that my contributions to the Newsgroups had been noticed and inviting me to become an MVP.”
“A little later, I received an invitation to what was then the second MVP Summit, where I had the opportunity to meet many of the other members of the MVP community, which was just over 100 strong,” Doug continued.
27 years later from his first MVP award, Doug is now one of the longest awarded MVPs in the more than 30-year-old MVP program.
Innovations empowering office users
One of Doug’s most significant contributions is the creation of MergeTools, an add-in for Microsoft Office that has aided thousands globally and has profoundly revolutionized document management and automation. This suite of applications is now utilized by around 10,000 users in at least 114 countries.
Doug's creation of the MergeTools Add-in offers unparalleled flexibility with features such as merging to email messages with or without attachments, creating documents with custom filenames, and generating many-to-one merges which streamline processes like invoice creation. The add-in's ability to integrate unique charts, support advanced document features like Content Controls and Legacy FormFields, and facilitate duplex printing and collation, has significantly enhanced efficiency and customization in document creation and distribution for office users around the world.
Avid forum helper
Being an MVP is not just about technical expertise; it’s also about mentoring and supporting others. Doug had adapted to changes in the forum landscape over the years but has continued to follow his passion for technology. His willingness to share knowledge, solve problems and help users navigate complex issues, have made a significant impact on many.
“As much as I was upset to see the disappearance of the NNTP Newsgroups, I’ve continued to provide support in the Microsoft Answers Forum and the Microsoft Tech Community, almost exclusively in the Word area, but occasionally delving into questions with the other Office applications,” reflected Doug.
He continued, “I favour the questions that involve the development of VBA-based solutions; that is really my forte.”
Thank you, Doug!
Doug Robbins’ story is a testament to dedication, innovation, and the spirit of community. His 27 years as an MVP highlights his commitment to innovation and support to helping others, solidifying his legacy as one of the early Microsoft MVPs. Thank you, Doug, for your remarkable contributions and for inspiring us all.
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